HOLDEN — A single-family home at 497 Bullard Street sustained extensive damage early Sunday after a fire that began on an outside porch spread into the residence.
According to a statement from Holden Fire Chief Russ Hall, the fire was reported to the Wachusett Regional Emergency Communications Center at approximately 12:55 a.m. on Nov. 30, 2025.
The blaze, Hall said, “appears to have started on an outside porch extending into the home causing extensive damage.” When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy fire conditions on the porch and in the kitchen, with flames threatening the attic space.
A working fire was struck to bring automatic mutual aid to the scene. “Initial arriving crews made a quick attack stopping the fire from extending further into the home,” Hall said. The fire was brought under control and extinguished, but there was extensive damage to the residence.
All residents evacuated safely and are being assisted by the American Red Cross, according to Chief Hall.
The Holden Fire Department received mutual aid from Rutland, Paxton, West Boylston, Boylston, and Sterling fire units, with the Worcester Fire Department, Leicester Fire Department, and Spencer EMS providing station and town ambulance coverage. Holden police, the Holden Municipal Light Department, and the Holden Department of Public Works also assisted at the scene.
The cause and origin are under investigation by the District 8 Fire Investigation Unit.